A NINE-YEAR-OLD Cobham schoolboy has said he is looking forward to learning to fly as he prepares for a starring role in the West End.

Instead of putting his feet up, Feltonfleet School pupil Joe Sheridan, who turns 10 in two weeks' time, will spend his Christmas holidays performing in The Snowman at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre in London.

“I am really happy about it and very excited,” said Joe. “I am also pleased with myself for getting the part.

“I never imagined in a million years, when my mum used to look at the book with me, that one day I would be playing the part of James.”

He said his favourite part of the show was "when James builds the snowman and when he holds the snowman’s hand and is pulled up into the sky and starts to fly".

Joe, who started acting when he was seven, will miss two weeks of class while rehearsing for the grand opening on November 28.

“I can’t wait to learn how to fly. I’m really happy and excited,” he said.

In his three years of acting, Joe has played a munchkin in the West End version of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, and appeared alongside theatre giant Tommy Steele in Scrooge.

He has also taken part in productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Evita and Jekyll and Hyde.

Most recently he played Robin Hood in a version of the story for the Cartoonito television channel, which will be aired next month.

He has also recently had an audition for a part in Matilda the musical – a show he said he would really like to be in.

Asked what it was that made him want to be on the stage, Joe said: “I love singing, dancing and acting.

“These are my favourite things to do. I also enjoy performing in front of an audience.”

Headmaster Alastair Morrison described Joe as a "determined and hard-working boy".

“He works hard at everything he does from school work to his dancing, singing and acting,” he said.

“He is also a talented ballet and tap dancer.

“For such a young performer, Joe does a brilliant job of managing his school work alongside his auditions and rehearsals.

“We are very proud of him for winning the part of James. We know he’ll do a brilliant job and we look forward to seeing him perform over the Christmas season.”